The politics of being a blogger

Someone wrote a Letter to the Editor in the Altamont Enterprise accusing her of “community organizing” for the democratic party under the guise of the Guilderland Center Neighborhood Association.

He also said “Teri Conroy has the time and means to community organize and blog about herself,” which is the part that bothers me.

People blog because they enjoy it, and because others are interested in the things they have to say. Being a blogger doesn’t make you a public figure or official of any kind, so it seems quite libelous to make these accusations.

I certainly won’t respond to his letter in the AE. I do find it pathetic that someone I’ve never met, and I don’t believe attended any of the three Guilderland Center Neighborhood Association meetings, thought going after me would be productive in any way.
I can only hope that those who read the letter see it for what it is – ridiculous.
I bring my therapy dog, Jane, to the local elementary school and library. I pray that our volunteer work won’t be affected, and that I won’t be wrongly judged, because of his letter. Just the thought makes me feel like crying.

Guilderland in general, and Altamont in particular, are communities that are largely populated by decent, rational people. The accusations contained in the letter you referred to are absurd, and the overwhelming majority of the locals will recognize that. You and Jane won’t be lacking opportunities to continue with your therapy work in our community any time soon.

Ignore for sure. People like that have no comprehension of people like Terri. She is a good hearted, hard working humanitarian that goes out of her way to bring people together and make them feel good. We need more people like her in our community and less of her accuser.

Don’t worry Teri. He took the lazy way out on this and I think the majority of people in our community are too smart and will not listen to him. Chin up girl and keep on moving forward with your hard work.

Ter, I have never met you but I can tell from your blogs that you are a kind, good-hearted person and I admire you for your work with your therapy dog. I read the letter in the Enterprise and I am ashamed that any Guildeland resident could write such a mean spirited letter about someone taking an interest in their neighborhood and form a non-partisan group of residents. We need more people like you!

Who is he and why won’t he leave you alone? Does he really think this makes him look good to the voters? Geesh. (I’m learning better language from you too, Teri.)

Of all the people out there he could pick on, he chooses to pick on some harmless woman running a farm, organizing a neighorhood association and blogging about it? Is this who we want in even local office?

Sad to say, but we live in a world where, for some, no good deed goes unpunished. It appears in this instance that your choice of candidates in last year’s local election was displeasing to some, so you are now supposed to be harassed into silence. This seems to be the typical tactic for the pair that this individual tries to play hatchet man for.

It is interesting that you have no idea who he is. Apparently very few do. He certainly claims to have a lot of knowledge about a community he takes no positive role in. Apparently, his opinions are formed by those from whom he takes his orders.